• Latest
  • Trending

Van der Drift takes out TCR New Zealand title after exciting final race

April 24, 2021

Palmer the one to beat heading to Rally Waitomo this weekend

September 17, 2025

TRS and Formula Pacific cars running under exciting new format for 2025/26 season

September 17, 2025

Nick Cassidy to race with Citroën in Formula E while balancing WEC drive with Peugeot

September 17, 2025

Cormac Buchanan battles through tough Misano weekend in Moto3 rookie season

September 16, 2025

Ryan Yardley and David Musial Jr. claim victory in Porsche Endurance Challenge at Road Atlanta

September 15, 2025

Tough weekend at the Bend for Giltrap and Osborne in Porsche Carrera Cup

September 15, 2025

Scott McLaughlin secures historic podium for JMR at Suzuka 1000km

September 15, 2025

Kiwis – Born to Fly 3. First trailer drops and final phases of shooting commence.

September 15, 2025

Kostecki and Hazelwood win The Bend 500 as Payne delivers podium for Kiwis in Enduro Cup opener

September 14, 2025

Christopher Bell wins as Van Gisbergen’s playoff dream ends at Bristol night race

September 14, 2025

Feeney Earns Pole, Wood and Payne Starting in Top 10 at The Bend

September 13, 2025
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
VelocityNews
Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time updates on Kiwi drivers, events and much more!
Subscribe to New Alerts
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard
No Result
View All Result
VelocityNews
No Result
View All Result

Van der Drift takes out TCR New Zealand title after exciting final race

by Zane Shackleton
April 24, 2021
in New Zealand, News, TCR NZ
0

Chris van der Drift has won the inaugural TCR New Zealand series despite experiencing a mechanical gremlin in the final race at Highlands Motorsport Park.

Having finished first and second in both of the day’s earlier races, van der Drift and Gene Rollinson were set to duke it out for the overall title.

However, Rollinson’s race was scuppered when a head gasket blew just ten minutes into the race.

Before that, the Racer Products Hyundai i30 N was electric and, despite his DNF, Rollinson set a 1.12.368 in the final race. The time is the new lap record for a TCR around Highlands.

Without the threat of Rollinson, van der Drift’s title was secured. However, he also ran into trouble after his Audi RS3 became stuck in fifth gear.

“It was a bit stressful that last race,” van der Drift said.

“We had a really good start. The first few laps were mega, and we even found a bit more pace. I knew I just had the manage the gap to Gene, but then I came over the bridge and went to change down, and nothing happened. It was just locked in fifth gear.

“I was straight on the radio but there was nothing really that I could do apart from trying not to stall it. Luckily for us, Gene had his problems too, so I just had to circulate from there and hoped nothing else broke in those last few minutes.”

Alongside the championship trophy, van der Drift now receives free entry into any remaining TCR Australia round.

The day’s final race was won by Hayden Paddon, who pipped Jaden Ransley over the line by 0.225s.

A lap one collision between Paul Radisich and Greg Murphy at the carousel ruled out the pair and dropped the field to six runners.

Rollinson experienced his dramas moments later, relinquishing second. Van der Drift then slowed to a limp the following lap after his car got locked in gear.

That left Paddon to inherit the race lead. After starting the last following a turbulent morning, Ransley was just behind the rally star.

Ransley latched onto Paddon’s tail for the remainder of the race. But despite his best efforts, he was not able to get past the rival Hyundai.

Jordan Michels claimed third and snared second in the championship standings.

Lochlainn Fitzgerald-Symes brought home his third fourth-place finish of the day, levelling himself on points with Michels. However, the Honda driver finishes second overall on countback.

2021 TCR New Zealand Points:

  • 1. Chris van der Drift – 199pts
  • 2. Jordan Michels – 147pts
  • 3. Lochlain Fitzgerald-Symes – 147pts
  • 4. Gene Rollinson – 134pts
  • 5. Hayden Paddon – 129pts
  • 6. Greg Murphy – 120pts
  • 7. Jaden Ransley – 116pts
  • 8. Paul Radisich – 94pts

Main Image: Geoff Ridder

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.

error:
No Result
View All Result
  • International
    • Formula 1
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Formula E
    • Esports
    • Super GT
    • Super Formula
    • TCR
    • WEC
    • GT
    • Porsche Carrera Cup
    • BTCC
    • DTM
    • IMSA
    • IndyCar
    • Road to Indy
    • NASCAR
    • WRC
    • MotoGP
    • Motorcycle Racing
    • Historic Racing
  • New Zealand
    • Toyota Formula Regional
    • Toyota GR86 Championship
    • Rally
    • Speedway
    • Drifting
    • Formula Ford
    • Formula First
    • TCR NZ
    • TransTasman V8 Series
    • V8 Utes
    • GT New Zealand Championship
    • GTRNZ
    • Central Muscle Cars
    • Pirelli Porsche
    • Mazda Racing Series
    • NZ Endurance Championship
    • NIERDC
    • SIERDC
    • Pro8 South Island Series
    • SsangYong Utes
    • Kartsport
    • NZ Historic Racing
    • NZ General
  • Australia
    • Supercars
    • Super2
    • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
    • Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
    • Porsche Sprint Challenge
    • S5000
    • Australian GT
    • TCR AU
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Circuit News
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard

© 2022 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.